A COVENTRY rally against child abuse is expected to draw up to 1,000 people.The rally is being held in the wake of the shocking death of Baby P in Haringey, London.

Organisers were hoping to march through the city centre, but the police and CV One have ruled that out.

They were concerned about disruption and overcrowding on one of the busiest shopping days before Christmas.

Instead, the go-ahead has been given for a rally on Saturday, December 13 in Millennium Place, between noon and 3pm.

A petition will be signed by protestors calling for more to be done by the government to prevent shortages of social workers, and to stamp out child abuse and neglect.

It follows the leaking of a forthcoming Ofsted report to the Coventry Telegraph two weeks ago, which outlined concerns about child protection in Coventry.

The event will include a candlelit vigil in memory of Baby P, whose death sparked outrage. The boy’s mother, her boyfriend and a lodger were found guilty of allowing or causing his death.

Three senior officials there lost their jobs this week following a damning review into the case.

The 18-month-old boy had been under the care of Haringey’s children’s department and was on the at-risk register. Yet health and social workers failed to act effectively.

The Coventry rally has been organised by Samantha Lowe, a mother-of-one and prospective foster parent.

She said more than 1,000 people had indicated they would attend through the Facebook website for her protest group, called Coventry City March for Baby P.

The 23-year-old, of Naseby Close, Binley, said a petition will call on the government to do more to promote the good work of social workers across the country, and to make it a more attractive job to enter.

It will also call on the government to act to prevent child abuse, and ensure better communication between agencies dealing with child protection.

She is urging people to wear something blue to symbolise the child abuse ribbon, and to bring along a helium filled balloon.

She added: “We are urging people to bring candles to light in memory of this special boy.

“I know people will want to do whatever they can for this little boy and also for any other children that may be subject to any form of abuse. The aim is to make child abuse history.”